My Post-PhD Bucket List

#1 Do nothing (and not feel guilty about it!)

PhD students are productive people - it’s how we reached this stage of academia. So it can be tempting to also fill up your summer with fun plans and holidays. However, there is something especially freeing about having a whole day with no plans and no guilt. For the past four years, there has always been another article I could read or some more edits I could do. Being able to read my book in the sunshine or go to the beach on a random Wednesday is a real luxury. I want to take some time to do nothing and feel amazing about it.

#2 Turn off all notifications and spend a day without my phone

Whether it’s constantly refreshing emails waiting for the journal to accept (or sadly reject) your paper, or the constant ping of Teams notifications, being a PhD student can make it hard to switch off. One of the first items on my post-PhD bucket list is to turn off all my work notifications, throw my phone in a drawer, and spend the whole day being uncontactable. What will I do with my time? That’s half the fun, no one knows!

#3 Go to the gym in the middle of the day

Whilst a 10am gym session might not be everyone’s thing, bear with me. For years I have been crammed into the gym after work having to queue for machines and listening to other people grunting and sweating. So imagine the bliss of going into the gym in the middle of the day to find only three other people inside and a plethora of empty machines waiting for you. Absolute bliss. Imagine even having time to treat yourself to a coffee at a nearby café afterwards! Now that sounds like the perfect morning.

#4 Play and rediscover my hobbies

The main thing on my post-PhD bucket list is to have fun! Do things just because I have the time and why not! I want to spend the day baking cakes listening to the Great British Bake- Off soundtrack. I want to re-read The Hunger Games ready for the latest film’s release. I want to walk my dogs along the river and stop at a pub garden for a drink. I want to finally finish all my craft projects sat staring at me from the side. I want to visit a new city. I want to go and see my friends in their new houses. I want to go swimming. I want to have fun.

Being a final year PhD student is mentally challenging, so as I sit here imagining my life post-submission, I think the main thing I want to do is have fun, discover new hobbies, and enjoy this free time. From one final-year PhD student to another, you have earned it! Now go make a massive cake to eat while watching your favourite TV show. I mean it’s almost the doctor’s orders!

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